The Aeta tribe is a small, indigenous tribe located in the Philippines. They are also known as the Negritos, a derivative from the Spanish language meaning small and black, which describes the dark skin and short stature of the Aeta people. There is speculation about the origin of the name “Aeta”. Some believe it was likely derived from the Malayan word “hetam,” meaning black, to describe their dark skin, while others think it came from the Negrito word “aita” which means curly-haired; a trait common amongst the people of this tribe. Nevertheless, this elusive tribe of South Asia is one of the most isolated in the world. They are known for keeping to themselves and have had very little contact with the outside world; unlike many indigenous tribes they have avoided being Westernized. The first contact that Europe had with the Aeta was in 1565 when Spain ventured to the Philippines in an effort to colonize territory in the area. A Spaniard reported seeing one of the Aeta people who, upon seeing the Spanish troops, “ran away so fast that a horse could not have caught him.” The arrival of conquerors in the Philippines drove the Aeta further into the seclusion of the mountains. However, arguably the biggest cause for their relocation was not the influence of outsiders, but came later with the eruption of the volcano Mt. Pinatubo. This natural disaster left the Aeta in a wake of devastation and forced them to relocate and depend on the Philippine government for food and aid. This had serious negative consequences on the health and well-being of the Aeta. The Philippine government has done little to help the Aeta and fails to understand their needs. Their lack of education and non-violent nature has prevented them from fighting for their rights. The Aeta have faced many difficulties in the recent past, but they have managed to maintain their cultural values and avoid being influenced by Westernization.
A list of other pages about the Aeta for your very own convenience!
Welcome to the Aeta page!
The Aeta tribe is a small, indigenous tribe located in the Philippines. They are also known as the Negritos, a derivative from the Spanish language meaning small and black, which describes the dark skin and short stature of the Aeta people. There is speculation about the origin of the name “Aeta”. Some believe it was likely derived from the Malayan word “hetam,” meaning black, to describe their dark skin, while others think it came from the Negrito word “aita” which means curly-haired; a trait common amongst the people of this tribe. Nevertheless, this elusive tribe of South Asia is one of the most isolated in the world. They are known for keeping to themselves and have had very little contact with the outside world; unlike many indigenous tribes they have avoided being Westernized. The first contact that Europe had with the Aeta was in 1565 when Spain ventured to the Philippines in an effort to colonize territory in the area. A Spaniard reported seeing one of the Aeta people who, upon seeing the Spanish troops, “ran away so fast that a horse could not have caught him.” The arrival of conquerors in the Philippines drove the Aeta further into the seclusion of the mountains. However, arguably the biggest cause for their relocation was not the influence of outsiders, but came later with the eruption of the volcano Mt. Pinatubo. This natural disaster left the Aeta in a wake of devastation and forced them to relocate and depend on the Philippine government for food and aid. This had serious negative consequences on the health and well-being of the Aeta. The Philippine government has done little to help the Aeta and fails to understand their needs. Their lack of education and non-violent nature has prevented them from fighting for their rights. The Aeta have faced many difficulties in the recent past, but they have managed to maintain their cultural values and avoid being influenced by Westernization.A list of other pages about the Aeta for your very own convenience!